Wales Blog Party!!!

Thanks for stopping by here at The Nut Press. Help yourself to some of my dragon cupcakes and a drink. I’ve got some Brains S.A. or some Brecon Carreg mineral water, if you’re operating heavy machinery – like a Windows box 😉

So hey, I’m Kath and I’m a writer and blogger living and working in south Wales. I blog about books; events I go to, such as book launches, open mic, poetry and spoken word; and writing. Oh, and I also sometimes blog about chocolate and life with a squirrel muse, Squizzey, who has his own blog at SquizzBlog and is the one and only blogging squirrel in Wales. (I think I’m reasonably safe in making that assumption!)

Anyway, enough about me. Now it’s over to you…

Here’s how a Blog Party works:

Leave a Comment below, saying something about yourself and your blog and any food or drink you’ve brought to the party.

Visit the blogs of at least three other party bloggers and leave a comment on their blog. (Follow it too if you like the look of it!)

Post a Facebook update or tweet about the party and encourage other bloggers in Wales to take part.

And that’s it!

It’s really simple and a fantastic way to discover new blogs. Hopefully, you’ll find some you want to follow and also get your own blog some new followers in return.

I’ll try and visit everyone’s blog who takes part this weekend and I hope you all have a great time!

Hey there! Thanks for dropping by and congrats for the long- and shortlisted blogs. Good luck with Where the Woolly Things Are for next Thursday’s Awards ceremony. I don’t knit but it’s a cool blog. I love reading everyone’s stories of what Cardiff is to them on We Are Cardiff. That’s such a great blog. Your pictures of the Welsh Assembly on your Tumblr blog are wonderful. Really love the different perspective you’ve taken of it.

I’ll buddy up with you on NaNo. Don’t stress about it – I’m a NaNo virgin, too. 🙂

Hi Kath! I’m bringing Haribo Gold Bears because I’m running in the Cardiff Half Marathon and with 8 days to go, I’m loading up the sugar and carbs – well, why not? I live on the coast near Cardigan and blog about living and writing there. My debut novel, Turning the Tide, has just been published by Choc Lit and I’m also published in non-fiction by Honno Welsh Women’s Press. I look forward to meeting your blogging guests this weekend.

Hi Chris! Lovely to see you here. I remember Haribo from when I lived in Germany “Haribo macht Kinder froh und Erwachsene ebenso!” (Haribo makes children happy and same goes for adults!) I have to admit I never ran a half marathon before or after eating them though…

If anyone dropping by is looking for their next book, then I can personally recommend Chris’ book Turning the Tide. It’s a brilliant read.

Thanks Marc, and Willkommen! Isn’t it amazing what you find out at parties? Brilliant to meet another German speaker! I lived in Düsseldorf and worked there and also in Köln, where I studied at Uni. I’ve only ever been to Berlin for a long weekend but loved it.

Hi Kath, Like Chris I am running in the Cardiff Half Marathon and also loading up on sugar and carbs so I’m bringing Mars bars, home made apple cake and possibly some pasta too. I’m a former local newspaper journalist now turned freelance writer and I live, blog, cook and garden at a smallholding on the south slopes of the beautiful Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire. I’m very much looking forward to meeting other Wales bloggers. What a great idea!

Hi Mags, lovely to see you here and thanks for bringing sugar and carbs – my two favourite food groups. 😉 You and Chris are very brave to run the half marathon… maybe one year, I might… *shivers* No, the feeling passed!

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Christine Stovell and Wales Blog Awards, Kathryn Eastman. Kathryn Eastman said: Bloggers! The Nut Press is hosting a Wales Blog Party this weekend. Hope to see you there! http://bit.ly/clahKw #walesblogparty […]

Been thinking about it since you told me about this kinda thing when we chatted at the Cardiff Bloggers meet 🙂

Sooooooo ok, i’m Juliette and i blog at http://www.juliettellewellyn.blogspot.com kinda creative style blogging! Been a little quiet the past month but will be posting again soon! Also looking forward to exploring and commenting on some of your party guests blogs which i’ll do in stages over the weekend.

Now where are my silver disco strappy sandles and diamond hairclips… Yay!

Hi Juliette, lovely to see you here and great to see you back in circulation. Look forward to your upcoming posts – I really enjoy reading your blog. I find it very inspiring, as my notebook will testify!

Like Hannah, I’ve also arrived all dolled up in red lipstick and heels. Most embarrassingly, she and I are wearing the same dress. No, literally, the same dress. She’s wearing it right now, so I’m naked. That’s why I’m hiding behind the sofa.

Anyway, I brought some tawny port. Lovely stuff; I’ve already had two bottles.

I’m a blogger living in Cardiff, having moved here from St. Paul, Minnesota. I generally define my blogging as “a collection of misery and lust.” At the moment, that most often manifests itself in the form of my being obsessed with “Strictly Come Dancing.” I can see that last sentence has made you want to go talk to someone else. No worries — happens all the time. Toss me another bottle of port before you go, will you?

… I did wonder why I kept catching flashes of Hannah in just the heels and bright red lippie! But if you want this port, you’re going to have to come out from behind there… *wiggles bottle enticingly*

So, did you sew all the sequins on yourself or does your SCD obsession not extend that far?

Congratulations on recently publishing your book, which, of course, I now have to read… on the shiny new Kindle I got for my birthday yesterday. Can’t wait! I’m hoping it’s equally full of misery and lust. Great to meet another writer.

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by hrwaldram, Guardian Cardiff. Guardian Cardiff said: Just got the #walesblogparty started early over on @katheastman's blog – if you fancy a post work drink why not drop by http://bit.ly/aSEpUZ […]

So lovely to be invited – thank you – but am being a wallflower and most anti-social reading your blogroll. Kind of you to provide writing on the wall for we shy types – well, not always shy, as blogging as mrsmotivator.com – but then we’re all full of contradictions, aren’t we?

Ooh , a party, how fab , Thanks for inviting me Kath , I am bringing a packet of rolos because times are hard.

I am wondering where the kitchen is as this is usually where I end up at parties. I might get a trip to the loo in now before the queues start.

I’m wondering how I should introduce myself ,as my full title In A Welsh Garden is a bit of a mouthful isn’t it. I might just go with Ina, then , as in Ena Sharples of Corrie fame. Hi, I’m Ina.

I have this strange little blog. I’m not sure what it is really. It’s an odd little thing. It’s at http://magicgardencymru.wordpress.com and it does enjoy getting visitors. Maybe it will have the kettle on. But I’d leave it 24 hrs if I were you,give me chance to get some biscuits in.

I brought some records along,is that ok? Black Lace and a bit of Chas ‘n ‘ Dave. There was a bad scratch on the Cha Cha Slide so I had to leave that at home.

Hi all! Kath, thanks for organising this! I’m not in Wales (I’m in England) but I do love Wales, so maybe that counts? : ) I’m a writer and I blog at http://talliroland.blogspot.com. I’m Canadian, so I’ll bring some maple syrup and Red Twizzlers!

Thanks for the invite – shall we get the evening’s festivities going? *deposits some wine and some pringles on the table* help yourselves guys 🙂 ooh what’s this *feels around in bag and pulls out a jar of homemade humuss* yum yum yum.

Ooh whilst I’m here, let’s see which blogs are about. *trundles off for a read*

I’ve only been blogging a couple of months- I work at Wales Millennium Centre and our marketing team talked me into it after we all went off to the AMA conference this year and came back with heads full of social media ideas. My job (Artistic Director) means I’m travelling a lot to see performances, and meeting lots of people to cook up ideas- and that’s pretty much what I write about: what I’ve seen and come across and am looking forward to, and random cultural ideas. All feedback is welcome, especially from all you experienced bloggers who know what you’re doing! the site itself is currently having a bit of a renovation so watch out for buckets and ladders. It’s http://fionaatcentre.wordpress.com/.

I’ve brought a round of martinis, which I advise you sip slowly, as they’re quite hardcore. Gin, a whiff of vermouth, with 2 olives each. yum.

will check out some other blogs – look forward to meeting some new people

Welcome back, Fiona! Lovely to meet you and what an exciting job you have. It’s always a thrill when I get to go and see something at the WMC.

You’re doing a great job of blogging from what I’ve read so far. One thing I’d like to see on your blog – and some others I’ve visited the last couple of days – is one or both of the Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs widgets or something similar. It’s easier than getting email updates for me and I can read posts in a Reader, which makes it easier to track the blogs I’m following.

I’ve been thinking about what the Arts mean to me since reading your blog yesterday, and I’m just about to post a response.

Hello, everyone! Hope I’m not late! Oooh, you’ve got the heating on, lovely. Here’s my offering, vegetable crisps with a home made avocado dip, so don’t drop any down your front or we’ll be here all night spongeing you down. I’m Jane, I blog at http://www.janelovering.co.uk (also known as Behind the Keyboard), and generally ramble on and on about any old rubbish. I’m a writer and… are those cupcakes? I like cupcakes… well, thank you, I don’t mind if I do! Anyone got any gin? Ah Fiona, don’t bother with the martini, I’ll just drink the ingredients…

Hi Kath, Hope I’m not too late either? I’m bringing Swedish cinnamon buns because I’m half Swedish and they’re irresistible, trust me! I live part-time in a house near Hereford, about 5 minutes from the Welsh border, so I’m almost in Wales, does that count? Like Chris Stovell, I write for Choc Lit and my debut novel ‘Trade Winds’ is out now. It’s partly set in Sweden so that’s another reason for the cinnamon buns 🙂

Hi Christina, you’re not late at all, the party’s running all weekend. Välkomna! You are definitely close enough to the border to get into the party (it has nothing to do with those Swedish cinnamon buns, at all. Can everyone smell those? Oh my goodness, how delish is that? Let’s waft those around a bit.)

Christina’s book Trade Winds is absolutely fab, as well. Check out the review on here for both that and Chris’ book. Choc Lit is as great as it sounds!

Apologies for the late arrival, I’ve been walking the Pembrokeshire coast this afternoon. Actually apologies for the windswept hair too!

Ah my blog, this is the awkward bit. To be honest it usually tends to silence the conversation so I hope someone new arrives soon to break the ice. I blog at http://the7journey.blogspot.com . I sit and pour out my heart and soul following my sudden and horrible thrust into young widowhood last November after being married just 5 months. My husband was a pretty inspirational chappy though so there are most definitely moments of comic relief in it, and I don’t want to leave anyone with a feeling of despair. It isn’t the end, it’s part of the journey, and I know the ending will be pretty bright. I’m sure he’s having a whale of a time right now.

Right, now Ems would’ve been the first to tear up that dancefloor. I’m a tad shy but anyone else game?

Did someone say cake? You really shouldn’t have… but I’m very glad you did! Hello and welcome! It’s lovely to see you and you’re not late at all. Who wouldn’t want to spend Saturday afternoon walking the Pembrokeshire coast?

I’m so sorry that you had to experience such a tragic loss to start writing but your blog is moving and truly inspirational because of the way in which it celebrates Ems. You write so very beautifully.

Now… I’m going to have to work off that cake somehow, so I think we should hit the dancefloor!

Hi Kath,
I learned about your blog party while visiting my fellow blogger, Joanna St James. I’m visiting all the way from Montreal, Canada 😉 I brought a bottle of Chianti and some “poutine” typical dish from Montreal. I love your dragon and your squirrel, Squizzey. Okay, about me, I write short stories and I’m currently working on my own anthology. My blog is dedicated to helping aspiring and emerging writers. I give tips and advice. I hope to see you in my neck of the woods. In the meantime, I’ll follow your blog 😉
Cheers!
Claudiahttp://www.claudiadelbalso.blogspot.com/

I am very partial to short stories, both reading and writing them and I will be over to check out your blog later today. If you’re helping aspiring and emerging writers, it sounds right up my street. Good luck with your anthology!

Kath, I came over to visit and thank you for commenting on my posts today and look here you’re having a party! Well of course I will bring chocolate chip cookies. I blog mostly about writing, editing and publishing at my blog: Coming Down the Mountain: From Reclusive Writer to Published Author.

Now to go around and discover some great new blogs. I live in Utah but some of my ancestors are from Wales. So there. And my maiden name is Jones, a very Welsh name I hear.

Hello Kath and everyone here. I’m late as usual. Thanks for the invite. And thanks so much for commenting and following me – I am honoured. I find I know a couple of people (lurking in the kitchen) but I find I’m still a bit shy. I was encouraged to blog by Preseli Mags – about life in general and life in Wales. I am also a Twitter friend of Chris Stovell, such a talented person.

As it’s like a summer’s day today I have brought some Pimms, mint and apples (both from the garden). Enjoy.

Thanks for the party invite Kath, I’m really glad I’ve turned up at the best part, just as the dancing is in full swing!

As fitting with the name of my blog, I’ve brought along A LOT of chocolate! I came up with the name as I decided there was a gap in the market for a chocolate takeaway, I know that’s one type of fast food I’d regularly order 🙂 I hope you enjoy it, hopefully it’ll give us lots of energy to keep dancing for hours to come yet…

Afternoon all,
Back from hols and just came across this blog party! Thought i’d missed all the fun!?

My blog at http://www.djleekee.co.uk is a bit of everything really – havent decided on one solid subject so features some music i make, some videos i produce and showcasing my photos and things that happen in and around Cardiff. Hopefully something for everyone.

Just back from a break in Dorset and Turkey so totally chilled. I’ll bring back my favourite meal from Turkey to the party – Fried Egg and Pepparoni omellete! Was not exactly as expected 😉

Can i stand at the edge and watch you all dance as my whole body is still aching all over from excessive food and drink. A fried breakfast EVERy morning and ive put on half a stone in weight – hmmm on seconds thoughts maybe the dancing will help burn it off a bit?

Cake and chocolate sounds good *munch*
Time for a well deserved beer and time to read to some other blogs!
Catch you all in a bit.

Hallo Kath, hope you don’t mind me intruding on the party. I’ve been sent along by the lovely Chris Stovell who is a writer and fellow member of the Purple Coo (http://www.purple.dreamhosters.com/common/). I’m a (wannabe creative) writer and blogger who lives in the Vale of Glamorgan and blogs at http://www.corner-cupboard.blogspot.com/ Last entry is entitled Vengeance of the Water Gods – all about throwing a crumpled till receipt into a French river and what follows (or doesn’t follow). As for eats. Gosh, I have my daughter, partner and eighteen month old gransdon with us at the moment. There’s a large vegetarian lasagne to share if anyone’s interested, and a blackberry and apple crumble to follow. Or if it’s just a snack, there are fresh walnuts from the Mill in France (where the water gods are) and pears from our garden. Look forward to reading some of the blogs and thanks for the party!

Lovely to meet you, Fennie, and thanks Chris for introducing us. I think I’ve eaten a little too much of all the party food everyone’s been kind enough to bring along, but this is The Nut Press, so maybe I could just nibble on a couple of walnuts…

Purple Coo looks like a fun place to belong and your Vengeance of the Water Gods post was excellent, you write beautifully.

Hello,
Well, isn’t this fun. A party on a rainy Sunday afternoon. I have brought half a bottle of Dalwhinnie and a plate of Chocolate Courgette Cake. Oh, and my dog Rufus Whippet has tagged along too – to see if there is anything tasty to eat.
I live in the Vale of Glamorgan usually but I have been in the Auvergne, France for the summer in my son’s Moulin.
I am not really a writer, but a reader and, of course writers need these.

There’s a very tasty squirrel around here that Rufus might like to play with… 😉 Oh Squizz, don’t be such a spoilsport, sulking over there by the DJ. I was only kidding!

I don’t really drink whisky but I like Dalwhinnie. Every time Mum and I go to Scotland, we stop off at the distillery on the way north. Chocolate Courgette Cake? Wowsers. Any chance you could stock this in your chocolate takeaway, Lisa?

Lovely to meet you. (You and Fennie aren’t so far away from me. I live in RCT.) Look forward to reading more of your blog and finding out what you read.

Hi Kath, what a great idea. I am Elizabeth and I blog about life, growing things, food, family, wine with the occasional grumpy rant at http://welshhillsagain.blogspot.com/ from half way up a hill in North East Wales. I know Chris, Mags, Rosie and Fennie already so its great to see them here. I was going to bring cheese straws but I ate them all so I’ve brought a couple of bottles of champagne instead. I love living in Wales. It is the best! I escape occasionally to the city to remind myself that there is a life which is not lived in wellies.

Champagne rather than cheese straws? Oh no, and I was so looking forward to a cheese straw… 😉

Welcome Elizabeth! I am thrilled to meet you and discover your beautiful blog.

You know, I’m thinking of insisting on everyone wearing wellies to my book launch (when/if it ever happens). They can customise them, of course, however they’d like – I fancy some pirate wellies with skulls and crossbones on them… what does everyone think?

Wow! Looks like a great Blog Party went on here and elsewhere. I’ve just popped back to reclaim my red heels from Chris Cope which I kicked off while dancing. I’m still dizzy-eyed and heavy-lidded – what with Fiona Allan’s martinis, Welsh cawl from MrsMoti and the copious amounts of wine consumed… and I’ve got to run the Cardiff half next weekend like Chris Stovell too! (Come and cheer us on!)

Thanks for hosting Kath and I look forward to the next one.

Lots of lovely new blogs to browse over the next few days! Thanks all.

I read that too quickly and initially thought you were going to run the Cardiff half marathon in your red heels. What!?! But I will happily come and cheer you all on next weekend… bagsie hold the Haribo.

Thanks to everyone who dropped by The Nut Press this weekend for the Wales Blog Party. I’ve had so much fun. There’s been a great mix of lovely friends and new people among the party-goers and I’m having a brilliant time checking out some fabulous new blogs.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed it too and thanks for making it such a success!

Glad you enjoyed and thanks for dropping by. As far as the tidy up goes… you know, I just pushed everything into some black bin liners and it was all done. Hope the cat and squirrel turn up soon, though…

Yes, it’s been a great way of discovering some new blogs to read. Thanks for taking part and spreading the word to your friends. It was lovely to meet them and I’m looking forward to following them from now on.

I wondered where the squirrel got that phone from… present from his cousin in Russia, indeed! I’ll try and get it off him and return to you… not sure I’ll get all the sticky paw marks off though. Sorry!

Yikes! NaNo time is getting closer, isn’t it? We’ll be fine. Could always have an emergency tweet-up during November?

I lived in North Wales when a kid, in Dolgelly as was, Dolgellau now, in huge Victorian mansions. My Dad was in the army and involved in the admin of a National Service camp near Trawsfynydd – we left as the nuclear power station was being built. Does that date me? Is that why I glow at twilight? And I can tell you it was brave to be a kid in those days with all those sheep on the mountainsides giving you the evil eye.

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About Me

Welcome to Nut Press, the online home of writer Kathryn Eastman. What will you find here? Book reviews, chocolate tasting, adventures with squirrels, and a lot of tea drinking, among other things. Oh, and very occasionally, some writing gets done.